Explore American history through the eyes of women physicians

An American Women’s Hospital doctor ( in “AWH” armband) tries to administer a shot to a local child in Jellico, Tennessee. The AWH had a mobile health clinic that included vaccinations and inoculations as part of their service to the rural Appalachian region of the United States. The AWH car with its logo is visible in the background.)

Why It Matters

This photo depicts how the AWH had to provide medical care where it could in Appalachia – in this case, the physician is vaccinating children outside. The group gathered is a mix of both boys and girls, white and African American.

Analyze this evidence

Why do you think the vaccinations are taking place outside instead of inside a doctor’s office or hospital?

Do you think the racial integration depicted in this photo surprising or unusual for the South in the 1930s? Why or why not?